Growing cucumbers in a summer cottage is an interesting task for beginners
Thanks to the constant work of breeders, many unusual crops are appearing on the market. It is not surprising why the cultivation of gourd is increasingly of interest to gardeners. The plant is an original hybrid. It harmoniously combines two popular vegetables - melon and cucumber. The main highlight of the fruit is its size and taste. A voluminous melon with a unique aroma grows from a small cucumber about 10 cm long. Young fruits taste more like cucumbers, and ripe ones - melon. Therefore, the vegetable is considered an exotic fruit, although it is found in many summer cottages. Let's find out in more detail what a gourd is, and how it looks from the outside.
Biological characteristic
When scientists created a hybrid of cucumber and melon, they wanted to get more than just the exotic taste and aroma of the fruit. The yield and useful properties of the crop played an important role. Over time, the set goals were achieved.
Ogurdynia has a number of positive qualities:
- the pulp contains an abundance of valuable components;
- refined taste;
- long-term fruiting;
- high yield rates;
- early ripeness of fruits;
- simple growing scheme.
The disadvantages of a hybrid include a tendency to disease, a short storage period and a low level of transportability. Despite this, many gardeners are happy to grow a hybrid on their plots. The length of the tops reaches about 2 m. The shoots are covered with large green leaves. The root system is located very close to the soil surface. Flowering begins in May and lasts until August. The buds are colored yellow.
The mass of ripe fruits often reaches 3 kg. Up to 20 hybrid vegetables are harvested from one culture.
Popular varieties
Today there are about 15 varieties of culture. Each of them has its own size, appearance and taste.
The best varieties of cucumber include such options:
- Banana;
- Melonflehuosus (Tarot subspecies, Marks of Duckgreen);
- Fasano;
- Larton F1;
- Manduria;
- Nectarine.
The last species on the list is considered the most popular and demanded variety among farmers. Its fruits, when mature, reach 0.5 m in length, and the shape resembles a torpedo.
Cucumber pulp Nectarine has:
- crispy character;
- juicy texture;
- rich sweet taste.
In addition, there is a small amount of seeds inside the fruit. The mass of a vegetable is from 1 to 3 kg. About 10 vegetables grow on one crop. Full ripening of fruits occurs in 75-80 days.
The original variety of Manduria gourd is a climbing culture. The height of its shoots often reaches 2 m. In terms of external characteristics, the foliage resembles plates of cucumbers, with narrowed edges. Strong branches have a fleshy character, so they can easily support the weight of large striped fruits. At the technical stage of maturity, they are colored light green. Over time, they take on a yellowish tint, indicating an optimal level of maturity.
The Manduria cucumber variety is suitable for cold regions with short summers.
Growing cucumbers according to the agronomic scheme
There are two ways to get exotic fruits: buy in a supermarket or plant on your site. The first option, of course, doesn't require much effort. But the second, gives the opportunity to "enjoy the fruits of their labor," as the famous King Solomon said. Therefore, we will consider the rules for growing cucumbers from seeds on the territory of a summer cottage.
Suitable dates
The best period of sowing a hybrid directly on beds is the end of spring. Although it is considered a cold-tolerant crop, a sudden drop in temperature can damage young shoots. In order not to risk it, many gardeners first grow seedlings, and then transfer them to the garden bed.
Seeds are sown in containers around mid-April. Thanks to this, the plant will have time to get stronger, and will be able to withstand late frosts. Most often, this method is used for the successful cultivation of cucumbers in the Moscow region, as well as in other northern regions of the country.
Seed treatment
Culture planting material is usually purchased at specialized retail outlets. Immediately before sowing, it is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes. The procedure protects the plant from the occurrence of infectious diseases that often affect adult bushes. While the planting material is being disinfected, containers are prepared. Disposable cups filled with fertile soil are ideal.
It is desirable to use a mixture of peat with humus as a substrate.
Sowing culture in a container
The upper ball of earth is slightly fluffed and a hole is made. Its maximum depth corresponds to 2 cm. A little water is poured into the bottom. When the soil has absorbed it, place the seeds and sprinkle gently. The cups are then placed in one large container or drawer. They create a greenhouse effect using plastic wrap. The crops are taken to a warm and well-lit room. Seedlings appear in about 5-6 days.
Work with seedlings
When the seeds germinate successfully, the film is removed. The room maintains an optimal temperature of + 20 ° C and tries to prevent drafts. For the successful development of the cucumber, there must be enough sunlight in it. As the topsoil dries up, the seedlings are watered. After a month, the bushes are transplanted to a permanent place. Next, we will analyze how to grow a cucumber in the open field, and enjoy its juicy fruits.
Selection and preparation of the garden
It was noticed that a bountiful harvest of an exotic hybrid directly depends on the place in the garden.
Experts advise paying attention to such nuances.:
- abundant sunlight;
- lack of drafts;
- away from melon "relatives";
- fertile soil.
They begin to prepare a garden bed for growing cucumbers in the fall. First, the soil is carefully dug up and fertilizers are applied in parallel.
Usually such substances are used:
- superphosphate;
- saltpeter;
- potassium sulfate;
- humus.
In early spring, the soil is again thoroughly loosened and the top layer is leveled with a rake. Before planting, the cucumbers make holes at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Then the bottom is thoroughly soaked with water. The seedlings are removed from the containers, leaving a small earthen lump on the roots, and laid out in the holes. Then sprinkle with earth and tamp the top layer. The bed is covered with foil so that the plants adapt faster to their new environment. The procedure is performed at the beginning of June, when the air warms up to + 20 ° C.
The area where pumpkin crops used to grow is not suitable for gourd. Those gardeners who ignored this detail received a meager harvest from small fruits.
Smart care algorithm
Although the gourd is considered an unpretentious culture, it still needs care. The bushes are watered with warm water as the soil dries.They are especially monitored during active growth and ovary formation. When the fruits begin to ripen, the frequency of watering is significantly reduced.
To obtain a bountiful harvest, the hybrids are regularly fed. Every 2 weeks, a mixture of manure and saltpeter diluted in water is introduced. Weeding the gourd is an important aspect of grooming. The procedure is performed very carefully so as not to damage the roots that are close to the soil surface.
Loosening is carried out after watering or rain. Thanks to this, the plant receives an additional dose of oxygen necessary for development. If desired, mulch or hay is laid around the culture.
To form lush bushes, it is advisable to pinch the main stem and side shoots.
Growing cucumbers is not particularly difficult. It consists of traditional procedures. Depending on the area, the culture is sown directly on the garden bed or in disposable seedling cups. Rooted seedlings are carefully transferred to a permanent place. Care includes timely watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing. If necessary, pinch the shoots. In the fall, workers receive their reward in the form of juicy and aromatic fruits.